Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, A.D. Miller's much-heralded debut introduces readers to Nick Platt, a British lawyer working in Russia at the turn of the twenty-first century. The only thing more enticing to Nick than a culture rife with money, corruption, and decadence is the promise of women- particularly the beautiful Masha. But when Nick starts putting his lust for Masha ahead of his business sense, a cascade of increasingly shady deals threatens to unravel both his finances and his relationship.
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"This would have been my Man Booker Winner and it certainly cancels out the argument of whether you can be 'readable' and 'literary' at the same time. It's a psychological thriller which has depth and intrigue, narrated by the dupe of a crime and the spurned lover of a relationship. The 'Snowdrops' of the title refer to Stalin's murder victims whose bodies were revealed as the snows started to melt in the Spring, but it's also a metaphor for what is revealed about us when love begins to thaw and when we see others and ourselves as we really are. Effortless, beautiful, funny and unputdownable." — Ruby (5 out of 5 stars)
"This would have been my Man Booker Winner and it certainly cancels out the argument of whether you can be 'readable' and 'literary' at the same time. It's a psychological thriller which has depth and intrigue, narrated by the dupe of a crime and the spurned lover of a relationship. The 'Snowdrops' of the title refer to Stalin's murder victims whose bodies were revealed as the snows started to melt in the Spring, but it's also a metaphor for what is revealed about us when love begins to thaw and when we see others and ourselves as we really are. Effortless, beautiful, funny and unputdownable."
" Nearly always downbeat and sad but Well-written and in many places, very funny. Interesting as a travelogue of early Putin-era Moscow. Biggest issue that I have with this is that our narrator never once seems to question bad things that he knows are going on around him, despite having all kinds of misgivings about peoples motives and histories. Framed as a story being told to a fiance, it makes the future groom appear kind of stupid and amoral (which the narrator admits is understandable). We are supposed to believe that his love for a Russian girl somehow convinced him to ignore all the warning signs but nowhere in the book does it provide more than a glancing foundation for this setup. Still, I was entertained. "
" A convincing tale of lust and deception in modern Russia. "
" Interesting characters and relationships, and evocative descriptions of Moscow, but more twists and turns would have made the plot more interesting. "
" This book slightly held me at arm's length, but I think it was intended to. Moscow is stunningly evoked. A bleak eye-opener on the corruption that drives post-soviet Russia, and how corruption corrupts. The narrator is making full confession to his English fiancee. Would you marry him? "
" I really enjoyed this book. There was a real sense of place and I felt like I intimately got to know Russia. I was drawn to Nick the main character not because I liked him but because he seemed so pathetically lonely and alone as well as some what lost. "
" I thought it was a good view into the mess that Russia is. Quick and easy read that gives a feeling for both time and place. "
" Well written with some good descriptions of the "Moscow scene". I particularly liked the line Communisn didn't **** Russia, Russia ****ed Communism. "
" Failed to live up to the hype. No tension. No psychological insight. Useless plot device. Author showing off that he lived in Russia did not add authenticity. Hmm - Booker judges must have been able to find another book to make the shortlist this year. At least they didn't let it win. "
" An entertaining read. I enjoyed all the details about Moscow and the Russian winter. Not really a Booker prize contender but a gripping tale. "
" This was a good mystery/suspense book. "
" couldn't put it down, loved it "
" Pretty good, a story set in modern-day Russia about trust, love, and real estate! It's very involving, but extremely laid-back with a conclusion that kinda fizzles instead of pops. It all works, though, recommended. "
" Loved it. Very dark, atmospheric and the slowly mounting menace are superbly written and beautiful to read. "
" There is a quote on the front which says "totally gripping" well i've finished the book and am still waiting to feel gripped by it, i found the story a bit lackluster and the ending very obvious. "
" Having read half of the book I knew exactly how the story would end. This is such a typical story... But the book itself is brilliant. This is probably the first book about Russia written by a foreigner that accurately describes my country and its people. "
" Quite obvious in so many ways and I thought the characters quite 2D but because I've just moved to Moscow and enjoyed his descriptions I'll give it four. "
" Just about reaches 'mildly interesting' ! I can't believe the recommendations plastered all over this book ,comparisons with Graham Greene are tremendously hyped and misleading ! . "
A. D. Miller is the author of several books, including Snowdrops, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Award, and the CWA Gold Dagger. As the Moscow correspondent of the London Economist, he has traveled widely across the former Soviet Union and covered the Orange Revolution in Ukraine. He is the culture editor at The Economist.
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